2021 "Ma Douce"

The 2021 Chardonnay Ma Douce marries power and tension. Lemon peel, white pepper, mint and crushed rocks all race across the palate. This taut Fort Ross-Seaview Chardonnay captures all the magic of the West Sonoma Coast in the richer style that is a house signature. I would give this a year or two to come together a bit more fully.

- Antonio Galloni (12/2023)

Named for Luc’s wife Jodie (as well as for the breeze), the 2021 Chardonnay Ma Douce is inspired by Meursault in its stylistic approach. It pours a ripe yellow color with the light haze that all these wines carry and was raised in one-third new French oak. The nose lifts with lemon curd, light flint, fresh pear, sweet brioche, and white flowers. Full-bodied, with good freshness, it’s long on the palate, with a long custardy finish. It has the structure to be long-lived and cellar worthy, and it’s going to drink well over the next 15 years. (06/2024)

The 2021 Chardonnay Ma Douce leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of ripe grapefruit, white peaches, and honeysuckle giving way to a seductive undercurrent of baking bread, marzipan, and fresh ginger. The medium to full-bodied palate is so, so satiny, with intense citrus and stone fruit layers and savory accents supported by a racy backbone, finishing long with gingery sparkles. (02/2024)

An approximate blend done from barrel, the 2021 Chardonnay Ma Douce looks to be another great success, with flamboyant aromas of toasted grain, grilled pineapple and mango on the nose. It's full-bodied and generous in the mouth, with a long, plush finish.

- Joe Czerwinski (03/2023)